This screencast shows you how to create a new GRASS location using QGIS version 0.8.1 or higher. You should have some sample data in hand if you wish to follow along.

Please note that I use the words layer and map interchangeably. Strictly speaking, in GRASS a mapset contains maps and a map contains one or more layers.

This gives you a quick introduction (~ 5 minutes) to getting started with the QGIS-GRASS plugin.

The screencast is available at:
http://gisalaska.com/qgis_movies/qgis_grass_1.html